IslandMode

I’ve been hearing it over and over again from my lady friends; they’re anxious to, feeling the need to, pressing their boyfriend to meet his parents. I tried to figure out where females got the idea that meeting a guy’s parents was so important but before I even finished my question in my Google search the articles came pouring in. Countless number of women go through the same thing but they all want one thing: to meet their boyfriend’s parents. Tons of articles claim that one of the KEY ways to know if a guy is serious about you is if he introduces his woman to his parents. Other articles state that if he brings you to mum and dad it means he sees you in his future and as someone that he can see himself marrying. The list went on and on so I took to the streets asking ladies: ‘is it important to you to meet your boyfriend’s parents and why?’

The list went on to more than I can mention here but it all baffled me. Here’s another question: If a woman is in a satisfying relationship with a man that meets all of her needs and show signs of someone she can see herself with in the future why are women looking for validation from meeting two people (or one) to confirm their man’s commitment? If your guy isn’t quite close with his parents or don’t share personal aspects of his life with them why is it a pressing issue for women to meet them? Why, are women so convinced that once she meets her man’s parents that would cast out any chance of him cheating, leaving, lying or changing (for the worst)? Why is meeting your boyfriend’s parent necessary?

In my opinion, a lot of women are validating their relationships through what they read in magazines, what they see on TV, what they were raised to think and what they see their friends doing. A big part in the validation process brought on by these mediums is the introduction to the parents. Here’s the conflict: everyone’s story is different. Every man doesn’t find it necessary to take his woman home to his parents. It’s not because he doesn’t see a future with his woman or doesn’t respect her, it’s just because it’s not like him to do so. Ever stopped to think that some men may not want to take their women home because his parents are not the friendliest or simply because they are not that close so they may not care to know anything about his personal life?

Ladies, there are many ways to validate your relationship and ways to tell if your man is interested in a future with you. Try googling that and drop the parent thing. It’s so 80’s!

I want you to ask yourself, ‘Am I a Shelf Girl?’

See, something just toppled over in aisle 7 and on my way there to view what happened I’ve been glimpsing some of my girlfriends on the shelves. In case you’re wondering what a ‘Shelf Girl’ is lemme explain.

1. You’re interested in a guy and he seems to share the same feelings but he comes by now and again or even take you to dinner to keep you satisfied then he goes missing for a few days.

2. He runs over when you call him for comforting. He comes, comforts and then disappears once more for a few days.

3. He tells you he enjoys spending time with you and then he doesn’t talk to you for days on end.

Is this your situation? Are you like the grapes in the fruits section? Or like the ‘bag of chips, and alla that!?' All the possible buyers pick up the bag of chips, check out the size, sometimes even the ingredients and then rest them sloppily back on the shelf because he’s ‘not feelin’ that tonight’ or ‘that’s bad for him right now!’ He pulls a few grapes off the vine, pops a few in his mouth then decides he wants to move on with ‘Peaches!’

Ladies, remember to respect yourself. If you feel like he’s popping in now and again to keep you on his side then disappearing faster than Zorro after the heat of a sword fight, then it’s not worth it.

Unless you are comfortable with your relationship being one of ‘convenience’ then lay that out or don’t complain when he can’t serve you the way you want to be served. If this is a one stop shop, then act like it but don’t hold him accountable when you want 24 hour convenience.

On this end, we’re not promoting shelf behavior; you gatta move on. This kind of thing carries on into relationships that can possibly turn into marriages. What do you think your ‘fiancé’ does? Gives you a ring, take you off the store shelf but puts you on his shelf at home, and then keep you from potentially meeting someone that wants to bag you, taxes or not and take you home with a Kool-Aid Jammer Smile.

If you’re dating Spider Man, shelf behavior is okay; cuz we all know his has to run off into the wee hours of the night and fight off green villains. But if you are dating Mr-I-already-came-half-steppin-and-I’m-a-little-stupid-so-I-might-break-your-heart then mosey your neatly packaged self of those rusty shelves; you deserve better! ;)

So I've found my latest Summer Fashion Fetish and it is definitely the rugged yet fun and sexy boyfriend shorts. We've heard about boyfriend jeans but here's a way to throw on that classic fit with a twist for the hot summer months ahead of us.

These shorts work really well with loose fitting tops, tanks and even with a boyfriend blazer or a cute cardigan. Check out these photos to see how the celebs are wearing them.




Courtesy of Victoria Secret


Rihanna in boyfriend shorts and a blazer




Yours truly in Boyfriend shorts by United Colors of Benetton

Go out and get yourself this hot look to keep you cool this summer and looking your best.

IslandMode chose the perfect Sunday activity this weekend by being apart of the 7th annual Transforming Spaces Art Tour. Transforming Spaces wishes to expose Bahamians and tourist to contemporary art in The Bahamas and this year was a huge success.

This year's tour was made shorter to give patrons more time at each stop. The itinerary for this year included:

New Providence Art & Antiques
The Hub
Doongalik Studios
Pro Gallery
Popop Studios
The D'Aguilar Art Foundation

Check out these photos and comments from various artist and studio owners.

First stop: New Providence Art & Antituqes


Allan Wallace


Omar Richardson: 'My Two Worlds' (Winner of Central Bank Award)


Jace McKinney: 'The Promise'

Next Stop: The Hub








Aneka Stewart:: IslandMode

Next Stop: Doonkalik Studios (my fave)




Aneka Stewart ::IslandMode alongside Mr. Jackson Burnside :: Owner of Doonkalik Studios






Aneka Stewart ::IslandMode alongside Orchid Burnside (artist)

Next up: Pro Gallery







On to Popop Studios





Last but not least:: The D'Aguilar Art Foundation




IslandMode alongside Antonius Roberts



Be sure to be apart of this experience next year with Transforming Spaces as they transform your world!

So the ladies are loving it. A few easy steps to make your white v- neck blouse work and here's another way to look fabulous for less. All you need is the following:

1. A white v-neck (or color of choice):



2. A pair of cute short:



3. A leopard cardigan or colors of choice:



4. Sequence Ballet Flats




Mix it up as you wish and you have yourself a simple chic look for this Spring. Here's how I did it :)

Remember, there's no rules when it comes to dressing up and feeling beautiful!

Ladies, there's no doubt that we all like to look good and sometimes it can become a little taxing but no worries; here's one way to dress up a basic v- neck blouse and still look your cutesy best.

Here's what you'll need:

1. A plain white v- neck (that can be a couple sizes too big) like this one:



2. A black pencil skirt (or the color of your choice):



3. A skinny black belt



4. A head band/turban/hairclip:



5. Black ballet flats (but a color will really jazz up your look)



6. Funky/ colorful jewelry



Throw all these pieces together and leave the blouse on the outside of the skirt. Add the belt around your waist, throw on a pair of funky earrings and you're good to go. Here's how I did my look for work and school. Remember there's no rules when it comes to dressing up and feeling beautiful!

If you're looking for your next fashion addiction Cute Confections is right for you! IslandMode has been in full support of Bahamian designer and fashionista LaVonne Alexis to get the scoop on 'Cute Confections'; a perfectly sweet, chic and edgy line for fashionistas everywhere. Here's what this Super Chic Designer has to say. Also check out these fab photos of her jewelry and head candy worn by yours truly and many other satisfied patrons. Cute Confections specializes in head candy, funky rings, edgy neck pieces, show stopping purses and now fierce feathered shoulder clips. The fashion entree is sooo meaty!

IM: When did Cute Confections come about and what inspired you?



"I started Cute Confections accessories line in 2010, but a few years ago I had a baking business that I also called Cute confections. I baked cupcakes and cookies for little parties that would go on in my apartment complex when I was living in Ft. Lauderdale, I guess the name just stuck with me."


Cute Confections Head Candy

IM: Give us a little run down on your schooling.

"I went to Kingsway Academy where I started a little fashion show segment for an annual fair. I started college in 05, I did a stint at COB and BTVI. COB in the day majoring in Hospitality and Fashion Design at BTVI in the night. After a semester I left and moved to Florida. I did a year at American Intercontinental University where I had a double major in Fashion Design and Marketing. After a year I transferred to Miami International University where I studied Fashion Design, Accessory Design & Merchandising."



When asked what inspired her LaVonne noted runways, art, Chanel; etc but her inspiration, she stated, mostly came from her close relationship with fellow fashionista Apryl Weech.

"Apryl Weech took me under her wings and started teaching me a lot of what she knew and in my eyes she had a lot of experience in the fashion world."

"I went to her house every Thursday after school and she would just throw me under the buss and say create something and I would scour through Vogue,get inspiration and created stuff and it went on from there!One of my first styling jobs was with her but the most important one I would have to say is when I designed her accessories for her for Islands of the World Fashion week the year she attended and the accesories were later featured in local magazine Stylezine. That's when I knew I found my niche."



If you're wondering what these fab pieces are made of, LadyCuteConfections created the above pieces and others with tassels to fringe fabric, feathers, nuts, bolts, safety pins,door hinges, leather, natural beads & stones; etc



LaVonne hopes to open a 'clothing bakery' in the near future and we are looking forward to any steps she makes.

To contact this fashionista and get a hold of her fab pieces check out 'Cute Confections' on face book and place your order today. The pieces are not only fab, they're affordable.

Theodore Elyett's Miss Teen Bahamas Pageant is proving each and every year to be one of the most anticipated and spectacular pageants on the island. This ear's pageant, which marks 5 years of beauty, talent and community service, was held at the Rainforest Theatre on August 21st, 2010.





Islandmode was there is full effect as one of this year's host - Aneka Stewart- Russell, writer and Journalism Major at the College of The Bahamas alongside Terrance Smith, a graduate of the San Juan School of Theatrical Art in Puerto Rico.



This years showcase, like all the others delivered, BIG TIME, with 21 contestants vying for the crown.

The 21 contestants were reduced to the top 15 withing the first hour of the show.



Next up was the swimsuit competition and the Fashionista Evening Gown Competition before the judges reduced the numbers to the top 10 finalists who later took part in mini interviews.




The show heat up even more with a performance by singer Jevon Mackey, the energetic dance team, Juice Unit and a song by Rhondi Smith.

And as if the moment we'd all been waiting for couldn't come soon enough, the crowning moment had come with 18 year old Ashlee Bain and 18 year old Irina key nervously facing each other, anxiously waiting to hear the judges results. And there it was: Theodore Elyett's Miss Teen Bahamas 2010 winner Ashlee Bain.

Here are some back stage photos from that spectacular evening.

Theodore Elyette's Miss Teen Bahamas 2009- 2010 Shamika Rolle

Represening Island Mode- co- host- Aneka Stewart- Russell